It is no secret that kitchen design is an extremely difficult element to master when designing your own house. After all, there are many professional designers who focus their entire careers around this space.
When designing a kitchen, it is important to keep the basics in mind, namely color scheme, hardware, and usability. Beyond this, any design that you choose to implement is personal, and as such, it should be perfect for what you want. Even so, many people are unsure about what they want exactly out of their own kitchen, which makes it difficult to design the space efficiently.
In these situations, it can help to know the basic rules of kitchen design so that you have a foundation for your efforts. Read on to learn more about what the basic rules for kitchen design are.
Familiarize Yourself With the Work Triangle Concept
One rule that you must familiarize yourself with to get down the basic rules of kitchen design is the concept of the work triangle. The work triangle is a way of designing a kitchen to make sure that all the necessary amenities are within reach. The sink, refrigerator, and primary cooking surface need to be within 20 feet of each other to ensure that you can adequately function within your kitchen. Any more distance, and you might have difficulty navigating such long spaces while carrying trays full of food.
If you plan to have more than one person in the kitchen, it might be worth it to implement two different work triangles. This choice will allow each person to have the space necessary to navigate, cook, and clean.
Dishwasher and Sink Placement
Another basic rule for kitchen design is the rule of having the dishwasher and sink somewhat close together. Doing so will make it a lot easier for you to store and clean your dirty dishes. As well, it will make you less likely to break any tableware as you transfer dishes from one to the other.
It’s important to mention that you will need a few inches of space around the sink and dishwasher area to give yourself enough space for food preparation. Remember, you likely use surface areas to do more than clean plates—leaving room for cutting board placement, kitchen devices, or bowls is essential.
Counters and Islands
Interior designers and kitchen specialists often debate the choice of opting for counter space or a kitchen island. Islands definitely have their advantages, including making food prep easier and providing a space for dining or entertainment. However, they do require a lot of space in the kitchen, which may be more suitable for appliances or other uses.
As such, it will be important for you to determine which option suits your style. A kitchen island can significantly change your approach to kitchen storage, seating, and lighting. It comes down to whether you think an island will serve the purposes you need it to despite the space it uses.
Seating Requirements
Another thing you must consider when designing your kitchen is the amount of seating that you want. In general, the amount of seating present within the kitchen will dictate how much usable space you have, as you will need an eating area to correspond to every seating place present. One of the best ways to address this is to have an island counter that connects to the kitchen. This will provide additional food preparation space and serve as a luxurious and stylish eating area when you have a few guests. Bar seating is also an option when applicable, though some may prefer a small kitchen table or no seating at all. As you determine your seating arrangements, consider how many guests you’d like to entertain or whether you intend for your family to eat in the kitchen space.
Safety Rules
When designing a kitchen, there are some safety issues that you must keep in mind. One of the most important safety measures to incorporate within your kitchen design is a ready, visible fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers are obviously essential in the kitchen, as you can use them to quickly put out any fire that may start. It is also absolutely important that your window treatments never come close to the cooktop, as fabric and other shade materials can easily catch fire.
Beyond fire safety, there are a few other rules to keep in mind when designing your kitchen. One of the most important of these rules is to avoid giving counters or cabinets sharp edges. If you have little children running around, it can be extremely dangerous for them to trip or run into one of these sharp edges. You may also want to consider where you will store sharp objects like knives to prevent kitchen accidents.
Ensure Everything Matches
The last and perhaps most important rule when designing your kitchen is to ensure that everything matches. This isn’t to say that everything must be the same color and pattern, but it does mean that everything should fit together and make a cohesive statement about your décor style.
One of the best ways to do this is to mix and match color palettes such as rosewood and silver. Accomplish this by picking out these colors in the fixtures and cabinetry, as they will give a suave and delicate look to your kitchen. With items like slab front cabinets, you can also incorporate elements of texture that contribute to your overall design.
If you have trouble with this aspect of designing, it might be worth it to hire a professional decorator to help you along the way. After all, you will experience the aesthetic of your kitchen for years to come, so why not make it look its absolute best?
Understanding the most important basic rules for kitchen design before diving into the construction process is essential. Even if kitchen design does not come naturally to you, do not give up. We assure you that you will soon find your sense of personalized style and create a kitchen you love. If you’re in need of some industry expertise, contact iCabinetry to learn more about finding high-quality, user-friendly cabinetry for your kitchen.
